This blog offers an Australian perspective on faith, religion and spirituality. It invites you to join the joys and hope, the grief and anguish of a middle aged Aussie Catholic.
The material reflects my interest in global as well as local issues.My perspective is probably more quirky than orthodox.

Msgr Rayappu Josep Bishop of Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka, together with 30 priests, has written to the UN Human Rights Council urging them to call on the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the positive recommendations of the LLRC (Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee, the body of inquiry it set up to look back at the Sri Lankan Civil War and provide recommendations for moving forward to an era of healing and peace building), among other things. The Bishops and the priests have since been attacked through intimidation and discredit by media and government-friendly groups.

Concerned civil society groups in Sri Lanka and abroad are rallying around Bishop Rayappu Joseph and the priests for their “principled and courageous position” in the light of UN’s belated interest in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka . As the UN is discussing a US-led resolution on Sri Lanka this week, letters of support for the bishop’s letter have been solicited and directed sent to the UN HRC. However, the on-goings at the Human Rights Council in Geneva is anyone’s guess, and already there are those who are questioning the US resolution, which even if passed, are predicted to be much watered down. This means it would not have any meaningful effect on the human rights situation and national reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka .

Given this scenario, the pressure is thrown back to those opposing the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and civil society actors like Bp. Joseph and his priests. It is imperative thus, that they be affirmed and supported in their action, now more than ever.

To this end, ACPP and the Hotline Team appeal to you to send your notes and messages of solidarity to Bishop Rayappur Joseph and the 30 priests to affirm their courageous act of writing to the UN, to encourage them to be steadfast in their public stand and prophetic witness, and to give them support in the continuing and expected increased backlash on their action.

Today's Cathnews carries an interesting item from the Melbourne Age introducing Fr Barron to the unwashed masses.

I have a couple of concerns with Fr Barron's reported comments:

Fr Barron is not correct when he dismisses the sexual abuse crisis by claiming the "wrong people are telling the story". Those telling the stories are survivors and their families betrayed by the very community to whom they sought faith hope and love.

Despite his attempt to reclaim beauty and integrity Fr Barron comes across as a 'spin doctor"more than a prophet calling the Church back to basics in the saintly models he promotes.

Is there also an echo of good old fashioned clericalism in the quartet of holy blokes he offers as models we need to seek today. I would much rather look to the witness of Edith Stein, Dorothy Day and the countless women of faith for my hope for the future.